Forget the tire swings and gazebos! From artist-made grottos to lily pad ponds to staggering waterfront views, here are nine outdoor spaces that will redefine the yard

Shimmering Stretch

Shimmering Stretch

Set in idyllic and magnificent Marin County, California, this 75-foot-long lap pool, designed by landscape architect Bernard Trainor is stunning against the native grassland. A concrete and stone walkway leads down to the gleaming expanse, accented with coyote bush, needle grass, and rosemary, to enhance the land’s natural beauty.

Spanish Oasis

Spanish Oasis

Landscape designer Anthony Exter created a charming garden to compliment a Spanish-style home in Hollywood Hills. Incorporating simple concrete and stucco to create the walls of the pool and the stepping stones, and lush Mediterranean plants, this well-manicured oasis sends us straight to Europe.